There will be no budget deadlock, Drilon assures

Press Release

27 November 2013

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon is confident that the House of Representatives and the Senate will be able to reach agreement on how to resolve the differences in their versions of the 2014 General Appropriations Bill. The Senate passed yesterday its own version.

“I am confident that we will come into agreement. I’m not worried that there will be a deadlock. I have gone through this numerous times in the past. There can be difficulties sometimes, but at the end of the day, reasonable people can come up with an agreement that is acceptable not only to both chambers but also to the Filipino public in general,” said Drilon.

“We have an obligation to restore the people’s trust in the government. Transparency and accountability will be the order of the day,” he added.

The senators put forward several amendments in the General Appropriations Bill submitted by the House of Representatives.

The Senate lowered the proposed national budget from the original amount of P2.268-trillion to P2.265-trillion, representing a P3.2 billion decrease which resulted from the deletion of the senators' allocations for the now unconstitutional Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

"The decrease in the budget proposal was the result of the decision of the 15 senators and the vice president who opted to delete their PDAF allocations worth P200 million each, as the Supreme Court recently ruled that the PDAF is unconstitutional," explained Drilon.

Moreover, the Senate moved to increase several items in the budget. These included the P5.5 billion budget increase for calamity fund and P600 million increase in quick response funds for the Department of Health and Department of Transportation and Communication to better capacitate the government in responding to calamities that may hit the country next year.

The Senate also carved out P100 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction program on areas heavily hit by the recent disastrous events particularly typhoons Yolanda, Labuyo, Santi, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the Visayas region and the siege in Zamboanga City, noted Drilon.

“In total, we have allocated P100 billion for rehabilitation program to be undertaken by the line agencies next year, and of which, P20 billion is funded, and P80 billion is unprogrammed, which funds shall serve as standby authority and ready authorization for spending once we receive the foreign donations and grants for victims of typhoon Yolanda,” said Drilon.

The Senate version likewise realigned P2.5 billion from the P5 billion lump-sum appropriation for scholarships to the budget of 112 state colleges and universities to manage their own scholarship programs for deserving students. The Senate also increased the budget of the University of the Philippines by P438 million.

Lastly, the Senate President proposed to delete the provisions in the budget proposal which are contrary to the ruling of the Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of the PDAF. 

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Transcript of Interview of Senate President Franklin M. Drilon

November 26, 2013

Q: Medyo mataas ang survey ngayon, senyales ba yun na nakabawi na ang Senate?

SPFMD: Para sa akin, that is a motivation na lalo kaming magtrabaho. Ako ay natutuwa naman na kinikiala ng sambayanan ang ating effort to really bring back the Senate to where it should be, an important institution of democracy. Having said that, we realize that this is just one survey and we will continue to work hard in order that we continuously deserve the support of our people.

Q: On the P14.6-billion supplemental budget

SPFMD: Nag-usap kami ni Sen. Escudero, ang pagkakaalam ko magkakaroon ng hearing on the supplemental budget bukas at pati yung joint resolution kung saan in-extend namin ang authority doon sa calamity-related budget which will expire on December 31, 2013, unless we pass the joint resolution which will allow the budget to be extended for one year insofar as calamity funds are concerned.

Q: Once approved, pwede nang magamit?

SPFMD: Yes, pwede na because that is part of the 2013 budget. The National Treasurer has already issued the certification as to the availability of funds.

Q: Kaya bang ipasa ang budget sa 2^nd and 3^rd readings today

SPFMD: Iyan ang aming schedule, para sa ganoon ay maumpisahan na ang paghahanda sa bicam. It could be next week. We estimate that we should be able to send to the President the budget by the second week of December.

Q: Open po ba ang bicam?

SPFMD: Hindi po ako miyembro ng bicam.

Q: May malaking pagkakaiba ba ang version ng Senate sa House?

SPFMD: Hindi ko pa masagot dahil ngayon pa lang ang period of amendments. What is important ay yung mga sinabi ng Supreme Court na mga provisions na violative of the Constitution kung saan mayroon kapangyarihan ang mga mambabatas na makialam sa budget matapos itong maipasa. Dapat walang ganoon doon sa final version. Dahil sa sinabi ng SC na kaya ang PDAF ay nagging unconstitutional ay dahilan sa pagkatapos na pirmahan ang budget, mayroong mga provision doon na nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga mambabatas na makialam sa execution. Iyan ay bawal sa ating Saligang Batas.

SPFMD: Mayroon na akong nakitang dalawag provisions na mayroong word na “consultation” (“in consultation with the representatives of the congressional districts of the province”. Iyan ay ating pag-aaralan para sa ganoon sa bicam ito ay mabigyan ng kaukulang solusyon.

Q: Na-organize na po ba ang ethics committee

SPFMD: Wala pa. we will take it up at the appropriate time. Right now we are busy with the budget.

Q: On the statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary that the typhoon Yolanda emphasized the need for more US presence

SPFMD: Ang importante ang lahat ng gagawin ay sang-ayon sa Constitution at walang permanent basing dito sa aitng bansa.

Q: On overseeing the P55.4-B rehab funds

SPFMD: We will exercise our oversight functions. Malaking pera po ang ating ilalaan sa kalamidad. Dalawang bagay po ang bibigyang pansin: yung tamang paggamit ng pera at ang absorptive capacity ng mga ahensya. Sa ngayon maglalagay tayo ng pondo tapos hindi magagamit sa mga biktima ng mga sakuna; sa ngayon pa lang, doon sa programmed appropriation, aabot na sa P55 bilyon mahigit maliban pa sa P7.5 billion sa calamity fund na pwede pa ring dagdagan. Malaking pera kaya ating titingnan at we will exercise our oversight functions on the ability of the executive to implement these projects on time and the proper disbursement of funds. We will also review in the middle of next year kung kailangan pa ng supplemental budget at kung sapat na ang inilaan natin at kung may kulang, handa tayong making sa executive branch basta may pagkukunan ng pondo.

Yung sinasabi kong P55.5 billion, maliban pa yan sa regular items sa 2014 budget na mayroong sa calamity funds na P7.5 billion at yung tinatawag na quick response funds. That is part of the regular appropriations

NOTES:

1.    Special Provision 2 of the DepEd’s budget states that “within thirty (30) days from effectively of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the representative of the legislative district concerned, shall submit to the DBM, either in printed form or by way of electronic document the following: (i) program of work; (ii) list of the fifty percent (50%) of the school buildings to be funded per legislative district, including the water and sanitation facilities, indicating therein the number of classrooms per school, the cost of the project and the DPWH District Engineering Officer where the funds will be released; (iii) details on the type, number and cost of school desks, furniture and fixtures corresponding to the school building to be constructed; and (iv) the request for Special Budget. The list of the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the school buildings shall be submitted to the DBM within six (6) months thereafter.

2.    Special Provision, 3 (c), Special Shares of Local Government Units in the Proceeds of National Taxes states that: “Thirty percent (30%) to the identified municipalities and cities in the congressional districts of a beneficiary province in consultation with the representatives of the congressional districts of the province.”

Drilon formally files resolution extending life of 2013 calamity related funds

Press Release

25 November 2013

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (0905.302.5098)

           

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon formally filed today Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 authorizing the government to use the unobligated and unreleased budget for the calamity fund and quick response funds for one more fiscal year for extensive disaster relief and rehabilitation activities to be implemented in 2014.  

Senate Joint Resolution No. 5 seeks to extend the validity of appropriations under the calamity fund, including those sourced from savings realigned in the current year, as well as all unobligated and unreleased allotments for the calamity related projects under the 2013 national budget until December 31 of next year.

“Given the massive effects of the past calamities, the government may not be able to obligate funds necessary to fully implement the above measures before the end of this fiscal year,” explained Drilon.

“If they remain unobligated by the end of the year, the funds will go back to the National Treasury and could not be used anymore by the start of the next fiscal year,” he added.

The Senate chief estimated that the unused disaster-related funds will be around P20.8 billion by the end of December 31.

“Once the validity of the P20.8 billion budget is extended by the joint resolution, it could join the P14.6 billion supplemental budget and the P20 rehabilitation fund to serve as a collective P55.4 billion then available to the national government and all its agencies for the relief and rehabilitation programs throughout 2014,” Drilon said.

“It is imperative for the government to implement aggressive and continuous relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the affected areas to enable our people and communities to recover from the damage caused by the said calamities,” he said.

Drilon pointed out that the continued use of the P20.8 billion can augment funding for massive relief and rehabilitation efforts, in light of the considerable loss of life and property caused by various devastating disasters particularly super typhoon Yolanda. 

The resolution further said that the implementing agencies shall first secure the favorable endorsement by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the calamity related projects that will be covered by the extended validity of allotments authorized therein. 

 -END -

Drilon: Rehab fund totals P55.4 billion in 2014

Press Release

25 November 2013

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (0905.302.5098)

           

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that at least P55.4 billion will be made available to government in 2014 for its relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts on areas hit by recent calamities particularly super typhoon "Yolanda".

"In view of the considerable loss of life and property in several disaster-stricken parts of the country, a calamity response fund amounting to a total of P55.4 billion will be handed at the government’s disposal to perk up its capacity to respond sufficiently and fast to immediate needs of victims of past disastrous events," said Drilon.

The proposed P55.4-billion rehabilitation fund will be sourced from the unobligated funds in the 2013 national budget, unused 2013 Priority Development Assistance Fund which was recently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and the 2014 national budget.

Drilon explained the House and Senate agreed to pass a P14.6-billion supplemental budget where the source will be the unutilized PDAF and a joint resolution extending for one more fiscal year the validity of calamity-related funds in the current budget amounting to P20.8 billion which remain unobligated by the end of the year.

Drilon noted that initiatives towards the immediate enactment of the proposals are already underway and will hopefully be approved in the coming weeks before the Congress adjourns on December 21.

“The Senate and the House of Representatives will file a joint resolution extending the validity of the P 20.8-billion calamity fund in the 2013 budget for an another year, while the Bureau of Treasury has already issued a certification for the P14.6-billion supplemental budget to be sourced from the unused 2013 PDAF, thereby making them both available for this proposed calamity response fund,” said Drilon.   

Once approved, together, these funds will be joined by the previously proposed P20-billion rehabilitation and reconstruction fund under the 2014 national budget, thus the amount of P55.4 billion, he added.

The Senate chief noted the P55.4 billion is on top of the regular appropriations for calamity and quick response funds under the proposed P2.268-trillion national budget for 2014.        

“The President has already assured us of his complete support for the urgent passage of these proposed measures, which he will certify as urgent,” he added.     

With such a significant amount of funding to be handed at the government’s disposal, Drilon said the government will be fully equipped to rebuild the provinces ravaged by the calamities.

"The intended beneficiaries of these funds are those whose lives, homes and livelihood have been severely damaged by the recent calamities. We owe them our most urgent and prudent response," Drilon emphasized.

The rehabilitation funds will be used mostly to rehabilitate and repair various infrastructure including school building and heritage structure that were destroyed by the past disasters including super typhoon Yolanda that wrought havoc in Central Visayas particularly Leyte, the typhoon Santi and Labuyo that hit Luzon, the siege in Zamboanga City, and as well as the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu provinces.  

- END -

Drilon: Senate to guard 2014 budget against unconstitutional provisions

Press Release

22 November 2013

Reference: Jeeno C. Arellano

(0905.302.5098)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon assured today that all provisions in the 2014 General Appropriations Bill will be closely scrutinized to ensure that they are consistent with the latest decision of the Supreme Court on the unconstitutionality of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

“I will see to it that all provisions in the 2014 national budget that are inconsistent with the Supreme Court decision are stricken down,” said Drilon.

The proposed P2.268-trillion national budget is currently being heard in the Senate plenary.

For instance, Drilon cited special provision 2 of the budget of the Department of Education where a consultation with the representative of the legislative district concerned should be held prior to the implementation of its school building program.

Drilon likewise identified a special provision relating to the use, allocation and release of LGU shares in the excise tax of locally manufactured virginia type-cigarettes which contains a similar provision  “in consultation with the representatives of the congressional districts of the province,” a phrase that may not be in conformity with the SC ruling.

Such provisions, according to the Senate chief, may be construed as legislators’ post enactment participation in the budget execution, which the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional.

“The constitution empowers the Congress to craft and approve and appropriate public funds, but the matter of execution of the budget is within the power of the executive,” said Drilon.

He added: “the identification and recommendation of projects and programs must be performed by legislators during the budget enactment period. After the budget is passed, the congressmen and senators’ participation should be limited to their oversight functions.” ###

NOTES:

1.   Special Provision 2 of the DepEd’s budget states that “within thirty (30) days from effectively of this Act, the DepEd, in consultation with the representative of the legislative district concerned, shall submit to the DBM, either in printed form or by way of electronic document the following: (i) program of work; (ii) list of the fifty percent (50%) of the school buildings to be funded per legislative district, including the water and sanitation facilities, indicating therein the number of classrooms per school, the cost of the project and the DPWH District Engineering Officer where the funds will be released; (iii) details on the type, number and cost of school desks, furniture and fixtures corresponding to the school building to be constructed; and (iv) the request for Special Budget. The list of the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the school buildings shall be submitted to the DBM within six (6) months thereafter.

2.   Special Provision, 3 (c), Special Shares of Local Government Units in the Proceeds of National Taxes states that: “Thirty percent (30%) to the identified municipalities and cities in the congressional districts of a beneficiary province in consultation with the representatives of the congressional districts of the province.”

Drilon asks Napocor to speed-up oil spill cleanup

Press Release

21 November 2013

Reference: Jeeno C. Arellano

(0905.302.5098)

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon said today that cleanup and containment efforts of the oil spill in Estancia, Iloilo are expected to go full-scale within 48 hours, the deadline imposed by the Power Sector Assets and Liability Management (PSALM) to a private company contracted to remove the remaining fuel oil in the tanks to prevent further spillage.

“I was informed by the National Power Corp. that they had already contracted yesterday Kuan Yu Global Technologies Inc. through the Power Sector Assets and Liability Management (PSALM), for the full-scale cleanup operations in Estancia,” said Drilon.

“The condition set by PSALM is for the winning bidder to mobilize within 48 hours after the award of contract. Given that, we expect that the clean-up operations will be intensified in the coming days,” he added.

With the manpower and equipment for the full scale clean-up operations expected to arrive by Friday tomorrow, Drilon took the time to thank the efforts of the Napocor, the Philippine Coast Guard oil spill response personnel, and local residents, who have been already busy trying to contain the oil spill’s damage.   

“The P87-million contract will enable them to siphon and transfer the remaining fuel oil from the ship, as well as towing and refloating of the stranded barge, oil spill containment and clean up of the waste oil and debris, and full clean up of the affected shoreline areas, “ Drilon added.

Drilon previously asked the Napocor to assume full responsibility for the event, and to fast-track the oil spill cleanup, right after his personal visit to Iloilo last week.

Power Barge 103 (PB103), owned by PSALM and operated by National Power Corp. (Napocor), was swept aground near the coastal town by strong winds and rising storm surge of super typhoon “Yolanda” on November 8.

That barge was already sold to a company, but not yet awarded. “They are passing the buck on who should pay for the expenses to make sure that the oil spill is solved. So, I told Napocor just to do it because we cannot let these legal squabbles stop solving this problem,” said Drilon.

“They can deal with the other issues surrounding the oil spill later. Right now they need to act with the most urgency, since the oil spill poses a serious health and environmental hazard to the areas affected,” pointed out Drilon.

Drilon said that the continued presence of the oil spill in Estancia threatens the town’s well being and livelihood.

 

“Thirty families had to be mandatorily evacuated since they were closest to the spill site – including children, the elderly, nursing mothers and those with ailments- while the remaining residents have to wear masks. These people are suffering,” he said.

  

Lastly, the Senate President said that even with the concerted efforts for the oil spill cleanup already taking shape, he will continue to closely monitor the situation.

-END 

P14.5-B supplemental budget ikinasa sa Senado

Press Release

20 November 2013

Refer to: Jeeno Arellano (0905.302.5098)

 
 

Pormal na nagsumite si Senate President Franklin Drilon ng panukalang batas na magbibigay ng awtorisasyon sa executive department na gumasta ng karagdagang P14.5 bilyon sa fiscal year 2013 para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga imprastruktura na winasak ng bagyong Yolanda, kabilang ang P4 na bilyon para sa mga gusaling pampaaralan.

Layon ng Senate Bill No. 1938 ni Drilon na kunin ang P14.5 bilyong supplementary budget mula sa hindi pa nagagastang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation, na kamakailan ay idineklara ng Korte Suprema na labag sa Konstitusyon. \

Binigyang-diin  ni Drilon na matindi ang pangangailangang magpasa ng isang supplemental budget upang mapondohan ang hindi inaasahang gastusin na bunsod ng sunud-sunod na kalamidad na tumama sa bansa.

 “The damage caused by recent calamities requires intensified efforts for rehabilitation, repair and construction of severely damaged infrastructure, buildings and facilities in order to accelerate recovery,” wika ni Drilon. “Our people urgently need the augmented support of the government for rehabilitation.”

Dahil limang linggo na lang ang natitira sa sesyon ng kasalukuyang Kongreso, sinabi ni Drilon na kailangang madaliin ng Senado at ng Kamara de Representante ang pagpasa ng karagdagang badyet sa General Appropriations Act na mag-e-expire na sa Disyembre 31.

“Given the urgency of providing funds to the rehabilitation or reconstruction efforts, we in the Senate can already start consultations on the proposed supplemental budget, while waiting for the certification of the national treasurer as to the availability of funds and for the House to pass and transmit to the Senate its version of the measure,” ani Drilon.

Sa kanyang panukala, ang P2.75 bilyon ay mapupunta sa Department of Education at P1.25 bilyon ay para naman sa state universities and colleges para sa pagkumpuni at rehabilitasyon ng mga paaralan. May P3.5 bilyon naman ang sa Department of Public Works and Highways para sa pagkumpuni ng mga kalsada, tulay at iba pang pampamahalaang imprastruktura, at P1.5 bilyon para naman sa repair ng mga nadeklarang historical sites.

Para sa repair ng mga ospital ay P1 bilyon ang itatalaga at P500 milyon para sa pagbili ng mga kagamitang medical na ipapatupad ng Department of Health.  Ang National Housing Authority naman ay bibigyan ng P1.5 bilyon para sa relokasyon at pagtatayo ng mga pabahay sa mga sinalanta ng bagyo. Tig-P1 bilyon naman ang nais ni Drilon na maipamahagi sa Department of Transportation and Communications para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga paliparan at sa mga local government units.

 -END-